Tonsil seizing forceps



Feb. 8, 1944. U. s. SMITH 2,340,995

TONSIL SEIZING FORCEPS Filed Jan. 1l. 1945 Patented Feb. 8, 1944 -IV maar UNITED STATES j PATENT OFFICE ToNsIL SEIZING FORCEPS e l Ulysses Scott Smith, Hannibal, M0. Application January 11, 1943, 'serial Nb. 472,035

(ol. 12s- 321) y 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a tonsil seizing forceps.

An object of this invention is the production of an emcient forceps which will enable the average skillful operator to get all of the'tonsil in a large percentage of cases.

Another object is the construction of forceps which will afford a simple and dependable way to completely encircle the tonsil and to iirmlyconstructed in accordance with the present -invention, while Figure 2 is a top plan view of the forceps.

Figure 3 is a View in rear elevation.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4 4, Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5 5, Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, I designates the primary arm which is arched, as clearly seen in Figure 1, for the purpose hereinafter described. An auxiliary arm 2 is provided which has near its outer end a downwardly bowed portion 3 that registers with a radically downwardly bowed portion 4 formed upon the primary arm I. A pivot lock 5 secures the bowed portions 3 and 4 together. On the outer end of the primary arm 5 is a circular primary jaw t, while on the outer end of auxiliary arm 2 is a circular auxiliary jaw 'I. The opposing rims, at 8, Fig. 5, of the jaws 6 and 1 are narrow and dull so that they will follow the line of cleavage between the tonsil and the surrounding tissues and without cutting or injuring the surrounding tissues. These rims, at 8, of the circular jaws are as sharp and as dull as a number 5 piano wire. The jaws 6 and 'I are formed on the same longitudinal axis of the primary and auxiliary arms; in otherwords, the jaws project forwardly in a true linewith the longitudinal axis of the device. V

The inner end of the. primary arm I extends I downwardly at 9, terminating in nan integral grip IIJ.l The inner end of the auxiliary arm extends upwardly at II, and this extended end I I terminates in a thumb unit I2. f ','I'humbunit I 2 has an integral upper plate. I3 and an vintegral lowei1 plate I4. Platesl and I4 are preferably roughened on their outer or upper face for affording a better grip for the operators thumb.v The function of thesev two angularly disposed plates will be hereinafter specied. D

i On the downwardly extending end 9 is atoothlike' lug I5, Fig. 4, which has an inner face extending upwardly from its outer edge to its inner edge. The upwardly-extending end I I of arm 2 is provided witha socket I6 whichis adapted to receive the knife-lillel edge of theflug- I5, whereby `the two arms are locked in a closed position,

which locked position is desirable when the forcepsis used'upon the tonsil. 'I'he arm 2v is suiiiciently springy to allow the operator topress laterally thereon for'disengaging the socket I with the lug I 5, whereupon the two arms are free to move with respect to the pivot lock 5. The auxiliary arm can be moved by the thumb engaging the thumb unit I 2 as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1, and when it is desired to lock the arms in a closed position all that is necessary is for the operator to press downwardly on the thumb unit, whereupon the socket I6 will ride under the lug I5, allowing the lug to enter the socket, locking the two jaws against accidental L' movement.

In operation the forceps is held in the right hand when operating on the right tonsil and in the left hand when operating on the left tonsil. When the forceps is held open the lower part of the ball of the thumb is against the lower edge of plate I4. The index finger is extended along the instrument and three lingers encircle the grip I0. As the forceps becomes partly closed the upper part of the ball of the thumb comes in contact with the proximal edge of the thumbplate I3. This affords one hand control of the forceps until it is closed, or nearly closed. Without the projecting edge of thumb-plate IS, the thumb would slip when the forceps becomes partly closed. Both hands are used to engage the catch constituted by lug I5 and socket I6. To do this, the thumb of the second hand is placed on the upper surface of thumb-plate I3 and the second nger of the second hand in the groove Il on the lower end of the grip IU.

The tonsil is lower than the plane of the upper surfaces of the lower teeth. To scoop the tonsil into the circular jaws, both jaws must be held against the lateral wall of the throat. To hold both jaws against the lateral wall of the throat the pivot lock 5 must be on a plane with the equator of the tonsil. The distance between the distal end of the forceps and the pivot lock is made short enough for the instrument to be pressed down in the mouth until the lock 5 is on the plane of the equator of the tonsil. For the pivot lock to be on this plane, primary arm l must arch over the lower teeth, and hence the value of the arched structure of the arm.

The jaws 6 and 1 are large enough to completely encircle a large tonsil and the opposing rims of the jaws firmly grasp the attachments between the tonsils and the surrounding tissues.

The forceps aiord a simple and dependable Way to get a workable hold on the tonsil, which cannot begsaid of any forceps or guillotine now on the market.

Referring to Figure 2, plate I3 is provided with a groove I8 and plate I4 is provided with a groove I9.

The contiguous surfaces of the arms l and 2 are flat and their outer surfaces are rounded. The grip I which maybe called a handle, can be made of any suitable material and in any desired manner, subject to the constructors personal wishes.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawing, certain minor changes or alterations may appear tor one skilled in the art to which this invention relates, during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such alterations or changes as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a tonsil seizing forceps, the combination of pivotally connected arms provided at their outer ends with circular jaws, each circular jaw having a narrow dull inner rim anda broad outer rim and one of said arms provided at its inner end with a double thumb plate unit and the other jaw provided on its inner end with a grip or handle.

2. In a tonsil seizing forceps, the combination 5 of a primary arm and anA auxiliary arm, means pivotally securing said arms together, said auxiliary arm provided on its inner end with an integral thumb unit, said thumb unit comprising an upper flat plate and a lower dat plate extending under said upper fiat plate with the upper fiat plate overhanging a portion of said lower flat plate, and a handle or grip formed on the inner end of said primary arm.

3. In a tonsil seizing forceps, the combination of an arched primary arm, said primary arm provided at its inner end with a downwardly-extending portion, said downwardly-extending portion provided with a tooth-like lug entirely across said downwardly-extending portion, said toothlike lug being upwardly vbevelled on its inner face,

said downwardly-extending portion terminating in a grip, said grip provided on its outer end with a groove, said primary arm provided at its outer end with a deep downwardly-bowed portion, said bowed portion provided on its outer end with a circular jaw, an auxiliary arm provided near its outer end with a shallow downwardly bowed portion registering with the bowed portion of the primary arm, means extending through said bowed portions pivotally securing the arms together, said shallow `bowed portions terminating at its outer end with a circular jaw, said jaws registering with the longitudinal axis of the forceps, said auxiliary arm provided at its inner end with an upwardly-extending portion, said upwardly-extending portion provided with a socket for receiving said tooth-like lug, said upwardlyextending portion provided on its outer end with a at outwardly-extending upper thumb-plate, and a downwardly-extending lower thumb-plate integral with the upper thumb-plate and having the upper thumb-plate overhanging said lower thumb-plate, substantially as shown and described.

ULYSSES SCOTT SMITH. 

